Juvenile Arbitration Programs are community-based diversion programs designed for first-time
juvenile offenders charged with a non-violent crime. Offenders are diverted from the Juvenile
Criminal Courts System to arbitration hearings conducted in the juvenile's community by trained
volunteer arbitrators who determine punishment and monitor the juvenileís progress throughout
the program.

Under the Supervision of the Thirteenth Circuit Solicitorís Office, the Juvenile Arbitration
Program will hold juvenile offenders accountable for their crimes and the harm they cause to
their victims. The program is designed to teach juvenile offenders the importance of becoming
productive citizens while ensuring public safety by strengthening a community's capacity to
prevent and control crime. Participants in the arbitration process include a trained
volunteer arbitrator, the juvenile offender and his or her parent(s) or guardian(s), the
victim(s) of the crime and the arresting officer. After determining the facts of the case,
the Arbitrator decides the appropriate actions that the juvenile must take in order to make
reparations to their victim(s) and deter future crimes. These actions include, but are not
limited to, monetary restitution to the victim, community service, charitable donations, tours
of detention centers, educational programs, topical essays and research papers, counseling and
drug/alcohol testing. Juveniles who do not wish to participate or fail to complete all requirements
will be referred to the Solicitorís Office for prosecution of the original charge in the
Juvenile Court System.

The success of the Greenville County Juvenile Arbitration program depends upon citizen
volunteer to serve as Arbitrator. To develop qualified Arbitrators, training is provided
by the Solicitorís Office in the areas of Juvenile Criminal Law, Mediation, Restorative
Justice, Communications Skills, Hearing format and victimization. No prior experience in
criminal law or juvenile justice is required. To be eligible to volunteer in the Juvenile
Arbitration Program you must: (1) be 21 years of age, (2) have a High School Diploma or GED,
(3) pass a Criminal Background Check (Local, NCIC and DSS), and complete 21 hours of
Arbitrator training.